6 Days in January

The title and the cover are fitting for the story that is held between the pages of William Fredrick Cooper's novel "6 Days In January". This story is of a man (William McCall) whose current love Della has just broken up with him. William takes the next 6 days to examine his past and present relationships, and more importantly his views on love. The 6 days turn into a roller-coaster ride of emotions and self- discovery. A few years back William McCall was confident about love but when he met Andrea she slowly stripped that confidence away in a one sided relationship where William give his all and she gave nothing but heartache. "Don't ever change" are the words often said to William by females. But he did change...when love dealt him a dirty hand and he got hurt... he did change. Then that change put him on the other side of the street; where he became insecure in his search for love, and the giver of hurt instead of the recipient. Take some time out to read this excellent novel written by author William Fredrick Cooper. Be prepared to read about love from a man's perspective and how love can be a double edge sword that can hurt and maim future relationships. Locksie ARC BOOK CLUB INC. Star Rating *****5.0

Six Days In January is an excellent novel that explores a man's heart. It's the best book I've read in years. I just feel bad, that you'll never see this on cinema, because it tells way too much truth. Some may think of William McCall as pitiful, but I understand his pain, because women normally tell this story. I asked myself constantly "DO MEN FEEL LIKE THIS?" They Do. And I only hope that our women can see through their anger to recognize this. This is a great story that I hope gets its just due.

6 Days in January is a must read for those who want to explore the heart/soul/mind of men. It is an explicit and complex look at the issues of men and relationships. I must warn you...if you are not ready for the truth...BEWARE! William Cooper's honest and straightforward approach to exposing men's vulnerability as it relates to women and love is superb. This is hardcore...exposure. People, trust that you will laugh, cry, get angry, and feel sentimental throughout the course of this novel. He plucks at the core of what we believe to be so and what is really reality in the life of male/female relationships. OFTEN TIMES PEOPLE SUGGEST THAT MEN AND WOMEN HAVE A DIFFERENT CONCEPT OF INTIMACY...well, Cooper challenges that idea as he develops and exposes William McCall, the main character. The passion, pain, joy, and sorrows of McCall will tug at your heart string and cause you to examine yourself, your actions and your beliefs about the opposite sex. Sistahs/Ladies...we have a problem. We cause as much pain in relationships and to the hearts of men as we blame our male counterparts for...ARE YOU READY FOR THE TRUTH. All I can say is....GET THE BOOK AND BE PREPARED FOR A RIDE. You better wake up early if you plan to read it during your morning bath. It will definitely cause you to use a few personal hours at the JOB. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. My suggestion is that the book should have a warning label: BEWARE...THIS BOOK MIGHT CAUSE YOU TO RECLUSE AND PULL OUT THE SLOW JAMS. MAYBE EVEN LISTEN TO TONY BROWN'S QUIET STORM. INFORM YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT YOU WILL BE OUT OF COMMISSION FOR A FEW DAYS...

From the first page this story had me hooked! This was a tale that needed to be told. It was a story of how a nice guy should finish first, but plays second to men who are underserving of the women they end up with. William McCall was the man that a majority of women claim they want but ended up being not good enough. There are a lot of brothas out here who go through these painful dramas day in and day out with women, and I for one am glad a story of this type has finally been told.

Who says that it is always the woman left holding jagged pieces of what was once her heart when a relationship goes bad, certainly not William F. Cooper who flips the script in, Six Days in January, exposing the underside of the steely exterior to reveal the heart of men, for all to make of it what you will.McCall had been a kind, considerate, sensitive, caring, loving, walking and talking dream come true, ready to give his all, until as undeserving as she was, he hooks up with Andrea. During the midst of their courtship, Andrea confesses that she is committed to current boyfriend, Derrick and is unable to give herself completely. This would be the first of countless, desensitizing blows that McCall would be all too willing to endure during the course of their relationship.Insanely, McCall kept hanging on; believing that one day Andrea would be all his or he would die with his boots on. Everyone he encountered attempted to convince him that the relationship was doomed. William turned a death ear to all naysayers. Because shaking sense into William McCall was not an option, tearfully, I read on, only to find he had taken yet another dagger to the heart. Callously McCall moves through life, wanting to show the world that he can be a strong Black man and in the process leaves the women in his future taken for granted. When would he come to his senses?William McCall, who wasn't one to cry in the dark, says it best, "Our sisters network and communicate their hurts. We're not supposed to have vulnerabilities, especially as Black men, though we struggle in denial of emotional sensitivity everyday." I say, at ease men, its okay to feel, to be real, to be human.William Cooper has written this tale with such depth that we are taken through a gamut of emotion, all the while cheering for William but unable to hate Andrea due to his love for her. Although I feel this to be a dynamic read and as unimportant to the story as it was, I would have liked to learn more about his failed marriage to Angela and seen her as a multidimensional character.Nevertheless, my heart went out to William as I found myself turning page after heartbreaking page needing to know if those long ago memories and the pain of being a jilted lover could be tucked away, enabling him to give of himself again?